Enter the world geared toward the middle grade child. They range from a step above picture books to just below young adult. Some are more graphic novel in nature. All are meant for kids and the young-at-heart.

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Wednesday, March 14, 2018

Review of Sophie Washington: The Gamer by Tonya Duncan Ellis with Giveaway

Welcome to the review tour for Sophie Washington: The Gamer by Tonya Duncan Ellis, sponsored by Goddess Fish Promotions. This is the third book in the series that I have read and the second I have toured. We have another winner here! Keep on reading for an excerpt as well as my thoughts. Leave a comment for the author, because she would love to respond. And make sure you follow the whole tour so that you can have plenty of chances to win a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble gift card. Best of luck entering the giveaway and thanks for stopping by!

Sophie Washington: The Gamer

Forty days without video games? Oh no!

Sixth-grader Sophie Washington and her friends are back with an interesting book about having fun with video games while keeping balance. It’s almost Easter, and Sophie and her family get ready to start fasts for Lent with their church, where they give up doing something for 40 days that may not be good for them. Her parents urge Sophie to stop tattling so much, and encourage her second-grade brother Cole to give up something he loves most, playing video games. The kids agree to the challenge, but how long can they keep it up? Soon after Lent begins, Cole starts sneaking to play his video games. Things start to get out of control when he loses a school electronic tablet he checked out without his parents’ permission, and comes to his sister for help. Should Sophie break her promise and tattle on him?

Read an excerpt:

Now that I am getting older and am in the sixth grade, I can understand more of what our pastor is saying in the sermons. Today, he was talking about how hard it can be to stay away from things we like that may be bad for us.

“Temptation is a daily struggle for all,” he preached.

“The struggle for me is staying awake for two hours,” complains Cole. “I wish I could have been with my friends in children’s church.”

Cole prefers going to the special service for kids, and was mad that Mom and Dad made us join them in the main church this morning.

“It’s getting closer to Easter, and I want you to get a better understanding of what the holiday is all about,” Dad explains. “In children’s church, all you pay attention to is the snacks.”

“Those donuts they bring in are good!” Cole exclaims.

“Maybe we can stop by the donut shop on the way home.” Mom squeezes his shoulder.
I roll my eyes. Since Cole is the youngest, he’s my mother’s pet.

“Have you kids given any thought as to what you want to give up for Lent?” Dad asks.

“What’s Lent?” questions Cole.

“Lent represents the 40 days Jesus was in the desert and the devil tried to tempt him, or get him to do things he shouldn’t do,” Mom explains. “During the 40 days before Easter, we celebrate Lent by giving up something we like to eat or do that keeps us from thinking of more meaningful things, just like Jesus did.”

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**My review**

This is the third Sophie Washington book that I have read and I am definitely still in love with this character. Ellis has created such a real young character. I can see myself in her and relate to her so well.

In this installment, Sophie is learning what it means to give up something in order to better herself and how to stick to her word as she makes a promise to give up tattling for Lent. Her little brother is giving up gaming. Neither one of them knows how they are going to get through the next 40 days, but they have to try. Making it even harder for Sophie is how her brother is still finding ways to sneak in his gaming addiction. She's torn between sticking to her promise and making sure her brother is also following the rules and sticking to his. It's an example of a struggle that kids go through on a regular basis.

Sophie is also dealing with new tween relationship issues. She's trying to sort out crush feelings while also acknowledging how her friends are growing, maturing, and expanding their circles. Those growing pains are always tricky to navigate while also being a learning experience.

The kids also have a chance to really demonstrate their maturity and responsibility with a special surprise that falls into their laps. There are so many lessons in here that kids will be able to relate to. Sophie is a great role model.

About Tonya Duncan Ellis

Tonya Ellis loves reading so much that as a child she took books with her everywhere rather than put them down. She knew she wanted to become a writer after an article she wrote was published in her hometown newspaper when she was fourteen years old. Since then, Tonya has worked as a journalist, written for newspapers and magazines and won awards for her books. She is the mom of three spelling bee champions, and has judged several spelling bee events. SOPHIE WASHINGTON: QUEEN OF THE BEE is her debut novel in a series about Sophie and her friends. Currently, Ms. Ellis lives in Missouri City, Texas with her husband, daughter, and two sons.